Arsene Wenger has tipped Marseille midfielder Florian Thauvin to become one of the biggest stars in French football - and admitted he tried to sign him.

Thauvin, 20, was embroiled in a messy transfer saga which saw him go on strike at Lille to force a £12million move to the Stade Velodrome in the summer.

Ahead of the Gunners' Tuesday night Champions League home clash with Marseille , boss Wenger said: “It was a surprise transfer for me. We were following him and we were interested in him before he joined Lille.

“For me, he is one of the big prospects of French football. He will go higher. He is only 20. His progress now will not depend on his talent but on his mentality.

“We saw in the summer that he showed a great mental strength, but you can also question his mentality for the way he behaved towards Lille.